Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund
The Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund is designed to support marine and fisheries activity and help deliver against the aims and objectives within the Joint Fisheries Statement and NI Executive’s commitments to Green Growth and Net-zero. The Programme is managed in Northern Ireland by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
The Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund
The Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund is now open for applications. Please note that all projects for which applications are submitted must be completed and final claim submitted by 31 March 2025.
At this time, subject to available funding, it is anticipated that the closing date for applications will be 31 December 2024.
Support is available for projects that deliver on sustainable economic growth in the sea fisheries and aquaculture sectors as well opportunities for industry to invest in projects that focus on Net-Zero commitments, fleet resilience and an innovative approach to addressing environmental concerns and the restoration of blue carbon.
The following Schemes are open for applications:
- Scheme 1 - Investments Onboard Licenced Fishing vessel
- Scheme 2 - Fisheries Innovation, Science & Partnerships
- Scheme 3 - Environment and Conservation Action
- Scheme 4 - Developing NI Aquaculture
- Scheme 5 - Processing & Marketing of Fish and Aquaculture produce
- Scheme 6 - Fishing Ports Infrastructure
Information and guidance
Before applying for funding you must read the general guidance note and the specific guidance note relevant to the type of project you are seeking funding for. The specific guidance notes explains the types of funding you can apply for, the types of projects that can be funded, how much money you can apply for and how to apply.
You can access the guidance notes through the following links -
How to apply for funding
Please note before you can apply for funding you must register on the MFF E-system. If you have prviously applied for funding using the MFF E-system you do not need to re register. Applications should be made and submitted through the MFF E-system using the link below.
Guidance on how to use the MFF E-system is available at the link below
Guiance on how your application will be scored is available at the link below
If you have any difficulties please contact the DAERA Fisheries Grants Unit (See details below).
Fisheries Grant Unit contacts details
Email address: MEFF.queries@daera-ni.gov.uk
Telephone: 028 4461 8190 or 028 4461 8099
Or alternatively, write to
Fisheries Grants Unit
First Floor
Rathkeltair House
Market Street
Downpatrick
Co. DOWN
BT30 6AJ
Business Case template
A business case must be completed for all projects over £25,000. A business case Template and supporting guidance is available at the link below.
MEFF information about recipients
It is a requirement that information about each project which has been funded under the MEFF is published; this is called the transparency initiative.
By accepting an offer of MEFF funds high level details of your project and the funds offered will be included on this list. Every six months, this website will be updated with a list of all projects which have been offered funding. The following information will be published about each project:
- name of the recipient of the funds
- community fleet register identification number (if the project is linked to a fishing vessel)
- name of the project
- brief summary describing the project
- start and expected completion date for the project
- total of eligible costs and how this is funded
- total size of the funds awarded and how the funding is made up
- post code where the project is based
MEFF transparency initiative
Every six months, this website will be updated with a list of all projects which have been offered funding. The following information will be published about each project:
- name of the recipient of the funds
- community fleet register identification number (if the project is linked to a fishing vessel)
- name of the project
- brief summary describing the project
- start and expected completion date for the project
- total of eligible costs and how this is funded
Any reports created as a result of a funded project will also be made publicly available. The list of beneficiaries and reports are available on the link below: